In this age of technology, the internet makes it possible for us to quickly and efficiently search and apply for job opportunities. However, experts still agree that the best way to find a job is to use your personal network. This creates can create some interesting situations that you want to pay attention to if you are forwarding your resume to friends and colleagues electronically.
On the one hand, if you learn of a great job opening at ABC Company, and your good colleague Bill just happens to work there, you have an in. In just a few minutes you can get your resume to Bill and he can forward it to the hiring manager. You’ll probably still have to follow the company policy about applying through the on-line system, but now you have a good chance that your resume will get a more thorough review than the hundreds of other candidates who come in through the internet.
On the other hand, the speed of technology and the ease of forwarding information make it possible for folks to forward your resume in a way that can be embarrassing, distracting, and sometimes downright damaging. For example, the other day I received this poorly forwarded resume from one of our client companies (names and pertinent details have been changed to protect the innocent):
__________
To: Peggy
From: Amy
Subject: Re: FW: Resume
Attached is the resume for my good colleague Brenda Freeman. She is an excellent candidate for your open Events Manager position. I worked with her in my last position at Helpco and she was terrific.
Regards,
Amy
____________
To: Amy
From: Brenda
Subject: Re: Resume
Here’s my latest resume. Thanks for forwarding it – I really think I am a great fit for this job! Are you going to Jim’s to watch the game on Saturday? I heard Kyle is coming alone! J Not sure what happened to him and Joanie.
B.
____________
To: Brenda
From: Amy
Subject: Re: What’s up?
There’s an Event Manager position open at one of our vendor’s. I know their HR person a little and can send her your resume if you want – they’ll pay attention since we just signed them on for another year. Have you seen Kyle lately? How serious are he and Joanie?
__________
To: Amy
From: Brenda
Subject: Re: What’s up?
I CANNOT believe I am temping as a secretary again. I feel SO entry level. I never should have quit without another job. I just couldn’t take one more day of Bill looking over my shoulder and micromanaging me. But – gotta pay the bills so I’m kind of stuck. If you hear of anything good PLEASE let me know!
B.
___________
To: Brenda
From: Amy
Subject: Re: What’s up?
Hey girlfriend – what’s up? Do you miss Helpco?
In this example, Brenda actually had several things going for her:
- Her friend Amy was willing to be a reference for her.
- Amy knew of an opening and could get Brenda’s resume to the right person with a personal note
- Because the open position was a vendor organization to Amy’s company, they were likely to pay attention to Amy’s recommendation.
I did in fact give due consideration to Amy’s e-mail and read Brenda’s information thoroughly. Because Amy is with a client organization, I also decided to give Brenda an interview. But, I have to say I was predisposed not to like her from the start. Why? Because the information Amy sent to me, caused me to ask several questions:
- Why did Brenda apparently walk out on her last employer?
- Is Brenda this unprofessional in every situation?
- Does Brenda even know anything about this position besides the title “Events Manager”?
- Amy is clearly not doing Brenda any favors by sending her resume along like this. Is she trying to send me a subtle signal that she doesn’t think too highly of Brenda but felt she needed to forward the resume anyway? Hmmm….maybe Amy is just being nice to Brenda to get closer to Kyle? Okay, I didn’t actually think that, but you can see how distracting all the other information was!
So what can you do if you want to take advantage of technology and your professional network in order to forward your resume directly to decision makers?
1. If you learn of a great opportunity at a company where you have a colleague, pick up the phone and call her! Learn all you can about the position.
2. Look up the job description on-line, or get a copy from your friend. Then customize a cover letter and resume just as you would for a position where you didn’t have an inside contact.
3. Send your resume in new, clean e-mail to your colleague with a professional note referencing your conversation about the job, your attached cover letter and resume, and your thanks for their support. Treat this communication very professionally and assume the hiring manager will see it.
4. Do NOT include a chummy, personal exchange between you and your colleague.
Technology can be a great tool in your job search. Just be sure to use it to present your best, most professional and most talented self!
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